Are there HDV720p, 1080i Recorders coming up on NAB this year?
I'm about to order a JVC BR-HD50E, but the thing that holds me back is that I receive tapes sometimes from the other HDV format [1080i] which I need to be able to edit too. I don't wanna end up buying two players one for Sony and one for JVC.
It can't be that hard that someone finally makes a recorder/player which supports both HDV 1 & 2? Any rumours of new releases?

The HD50 does not support translating 1080i to the (analog) video-outputs, but perhaps it transfers the digital HDV2 singel through firewire to your NLE? I'll have to test this (but I don't have 1080i lying around, at first sight) - but it is quite possible...

The HD50 does not read the Sony Z1 HDV tapes I have been told.

It doesn't have to perhaps: as long as it can put the digital data that's on the tape through to the IEEE-1394, you're fine if your NLE supports it (although the HD50 doesn't understand the data itself). But I have to check that, I'm not sure the HD50 will put the data through. But I suppose the tape keeps playing although there's nothing to see on the monitor.

Since we're not so far apart, I can test that out for you on of these days if you can provide me with a tape with 1080i content...

nope it won't read them at all (canon or sony)

you get a black picture and flashing dash lines on the timecode.

Your best bet for full coverage is getting the cheap canon HDV
camera around $ 800 USD. it can play sony and canon as well
as canons 24f.

lots of XL-H1 owners are using them for playback decks.

I'm very peeved at JVC for not at least supporting standard canon/sony 1080i HDV playback on the BRHD50U. (the way it plays back DVCAM)

HDV was "supposed" to be a standard like DV is, but its nothing of the sort
when each company has its own flavors.